Blacksburg Town Council Work Session – September 11, 2026

This work session covered a countywide Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) study, three ordinances scheduled for public hearing, a Capital Improvement Program (CIP)/budget preview, and required FOIA training. The agenda and minutes list the meeting date as September 15, 2026, while this summary uses the specified date of September 11, 2026; that discrepancy is noted. The supplied raw transcript contains only the fragment "And I've got more." and added no substantive detail.

Present were Mayor Michael Sutphin, Vice Mayor Susan Anderson, Councilmembers Lauren Colliver, Jerry Ford Jr., and Joel Goodhart; Town Manager Marc Verniel; Town Attorney Lawrence S. Spencer (arrived late); and Town Clerk Lorraine S. Spaulding. Councilmember Darryl Campbell and Councilmember Andrew Kassoff were absent.

Fire/Emergency Medical Services Study Presentation

• Consultant Frank Edwards of Mission CIT presented the county's comprehensive Fire & EMS study, initiated about a year ago and described as the county's first countywide analysis treating all town and rural departments as a unified system.
• The study addresses declining volunteerism, particularly in rural areas, and aims to develop a fair funding model that equitably distributes costs among the county and towns while addressing the growing reliance on paid Fire & EMS staff.

Review of Public Hearings Scheduled for October 13, 2026

• Ordinance 2073 (Homestay): Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer summarized the ordinance, which updates the Town's Homestay regulations to align with state law changes and establishes civil, rather than criminal, penalties. He noted the revised Homestay penalties had been previously addressed by Council.
• Ordinance 2117 (Meals Tax): Spencer explained the ordinance updates the meals tax code to clarify definitions and exemptions and adds a cumulative penalty of up to 25% for late payments.
• Ordinance 2121 (Utility Easement): Spencer described the ordinance authorizing a utility easement over Town property near the Blacksburg Transit Building to Appalachian Power Company (AEP). Sustainability Manager Carol Davis added that the project will include installation of a new pole to support AEP equipment.

Capital Improvement Program / Budget Preview

• Town Manager Marc Verniel provided a preview of the FY 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Program, focusing on economic conditions, revenues, service costs, and long-term financial planning.
• Staff noted that CIP priorities and assumptions will be refined before a recommended CIP is presented to Council.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Training

• Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer provided the state-mandated FOIA training for Town Council members.

Council/Staff Discussion and Key Outcomes

• Mayor Sutphin reviewed the upcoming regular meeting scheduled for September 22 and noted there were no items on the agenda; Council agreed to cancel that meeting.
• No formal votes were recorded; the work session adjourned at 1:03 p.m.